Another Izannah Walker Doll Advertisement

Michelle Brown contacted me with information she found researching old newspapers online - it's an advertisement by E. W. Billings describing dolls for sale by I. F. Walker. 

Michelle says, "I found this ad in the newspaper archives for the Manufacturers and Farmers Journal. I think it's interesting because instead of using Miss Walker, like in most I have seen, they used her initials instead of "Miss Walker". It's from Dec 14, 1874."

Imagine buying a dozen Izannah Walker dolls?  

it's interesting that it was an advertisement in "Manufacturers and Farmers Journal" - given that we know from Kathy Duncan's research that Izannah won a prize for growing Concord grapes. I wonder if Izannah subscribed to this magazine? 

Michelle asked if there are any photographs of Izannah Walker. I've never seen one of Izannah. But in this age of digitization, surely one will show up in a collection of family photographs. 

Withington's to Auction Izannah Walker Doll in September 2024

The following  Izannah Walker doll pictured below will be sold at Withington's Online auction September 5 - 13th. The doll has been in a private collection for 40+ years. The doll is 18" in height, and provenance is listed as being owned by Elizabeth Windsor McIntyre of Little Compton, RI.  Withington's has graciously shared images to be posted here on the Izannah Walker Chronciles. 

Withington describes the doll as such: 

"Lot# 161 18” Izannah Walker cloth doll, Central Falls, RI, pressed stockinet head, oil paint features, ringlet side curls, applied ears, muslin body, black painted boots with string lace, antique red calico dress with sewing pocket with lace trim wearing a printed apron (fading & wear), 2 – white petticoats, blummers, red coral necklace, (head & facial crazing, does not appear to have any head restorations, ankle repairs, arm & left thumb repair)."

To learn more, contact Withington's. 

A Pictorial Directory of Dolls Featured on the Izannah Walker Chronicles

My mission for this blog in 2008 was to create the site I wished existed - a site for doll makers and collectors who love Izannah Walker dolls to see more examples for study. For many years I researched every day Izannah dolls coming to auction, and wrote auction companies asking for additional pictures. At the time there were very few images of Izannah dolls online, as auction companies didn't put their catalogs online. Sometimes I traveled to document dolls coming up for auction and shared those images here. Sometimes collectors have shared images. There are enough images on this blog to assist any student of Izannah Walker dolls. Please scroll through the back posts. Below the thumbnail images link to the posts on that particular doll. 

Read the article written by Edyth O'Neill and Dixie Redmond

Published in the 2011 Christmas Edition of Early American Life

Putting together the pictorial directory will be an ongoing process.. Some great dolls have been featured on this site over the years. Thank you to the collectors, museums, magazines and auction companies which have shared information and images over the years! 

I invite you to look at  reproduction Izannah Walker dolls by Northdixie Designs (Dixie Redmond) at my art blog https://www.northdixiedesigns.com/search/label/Hopestill%20Izannah%20Walker%20Dolls

If you have an antique Izannah Walker doll you are considering selling, please contact me at northdixie@gmail.com. 

   
  

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

Next Five Dolls are Carol Corson's Izannah Collection:  

(Pictures taken by me, courtesy of Withington's)

 

Other Articles, Documents and Other Information

Articles shared with permission from magazine senior editors.

Some of these magazines are now out of print. 

"The Search for Izannah Walker"

Monica Bessette

Doll News, Spring 1994

Walker Dolls, A Family Affair

Monica Bessette

Doll News, Summer 1998

Kathy Duncan's Research on Izannah and Family

"Izannah Walker, Godmother of Cloth Doll Makers"

By Susan Hedrick

Summer 1998, Soft Dolls & Animals magazine

Stay tuned! This is an ongoing project to move links from the sidebar to the pictorial directory post.